It can be terrifying to discover that you have rodents in your home. These pests are significantly larger than any other pest you will commonly encounter in your home. Size is not the only scary thing about rodents – they can also damage property and spread disease to humans. The best way to protect yourself and your home from the consequences of a rodent infestation is to prevent them from getting into your house in the first place. Keep reading for the 5 best rodent prevention tips for your home.
Make sure trashcans are securely closed
The trashcans on the inside and outside of your house can draw rodents to your property. If you have a trashcan without a lid sitting outside your house, it is an invitation for rodents to come and search for food. Investing in a quality outdoor trashcan with a secure lid can help in your efforts to prevent rodents. The same it true for the trashcan inside your house, a lid can minimize your chances of attracting rodents into your house with food.
Deal with food waste and spills promptly
Spills, crumbs, and food scraps can all attract rodents and other pests into your home. Rodents need food to survive and they are skilled at finding it – even if it seems like relatively small amounts to you. Clean the food off of your plate before putting it in the sink. Be sure and clean up crumbs and spills on the floor, counter, or table. These steps may seem small but they can help with your rodent prevention efforts.
Properly store food
The food in your pantry can look like a buffet for hungry rodents. A poorly closed bag or box of food will make it easy for rodents to find a meal inside your pantry. Rodents can also chew through various types of packaging such as cardboard and thin plastic. The way you store the food in your pantry can have an impact on your rodent prevention efforts. Store food in containers that rodents cannot chew through or easily access in order to avoid attracting the pests inside with easy-to-access food.
Stay on top of home maintenance
Rodents need access points in order to get inside your home. Getting behind on home maintenance can leave you with gaps around doors and damage that creates access points for rodents. Stay on top of your home maintenance tasks in order to prevent damage that can lead to easy access for rodents.
Invest in professional rodent exclusion services
Professional rodent exclusion services are, by far, the best way to prevent a rodent infestation in your home. These services involve a trained professional inspecting your home, identifying rodent entry points, eradicating an active infestation, and sealing up the areas where rodents can access your home. Potential entry points include:
- Plumbing, electrical, and gas line entry points
- Air vents, dryer exhaust vents, attic louvers, etc.
- Holes or cracks in the walls
- Holes under gutters, siding, or fascia
- Gaps around exterior doors
- Entry points through an attached garage
Investing in professional rodent exclusion services will help you get rid of any rodents that are currently in your home and protect against future infestations.
Successful rodent prevention is a combination of daily efforts by you and routine services from a rodent professional. A great first step in the process is to schedule a pest inspection with a pro from Nixtermite. After the inspection, you will know if you have an active rodent infestation and receive recommendations for the steps you need to take to get and keep your home rodent-free.
